June 20, 2024
Toowoomba Regional Council will begin its 2024-25 Biosecurity Surveillance Program in July, inspecting properties throughout the region for invasive plants and animals.
Several “priority” surveillance areas have been identified for this year’s program, including the Gilla area between Yarraman and Blackbutt.
“The 12-month program covers Council’s legislative requirements to monitor compliance with the Biosecurity Act 2014 that ensures the management of prohibited and restricted biosecurity matter, or more broadly, invasive plants and animals,” Cr Tim McMahon said.
“Individual properties across the region will be selected for compliance monitoring based on the observable presence of invasive biosecurity matter or as a result of a complaint raised with Council.”
However, a majority of properties – 70 per cent or greater – within the priority surveillance areas will be inspected for issues, including giant rat’s tail, cat’s claw creeper, groundsel bush and mother of millions.
“In addition, all properties that are inspected for this purpose will be monitored for compliance,” Cr McMahon said.
“Council will make every effort to contact a property owner or occupier to gain their permission to enter the site if it’s necessary to inspect the property.”
Cr McMahon said all property owners had a legal obligation to take reasonable and practical measures to minimise biosecurity risk.
The other “priority” areas identified by the TRC are Douglas, Malling, Dunmore, Nobby and Athol.
